SMA Centennial

Pediatrics During the 20th Century

Authors: Robert W. Block, MD

Abstract

"One is often surprised that our medical forefathers knew so much. One is also surprised that they knew so little, and yet were undoubtedly useful members of society. They had the distinct advantage over us that each man if well trained, knew all of everything medical that there was to be known."1 As Pediatrics entered into the 20th century, a growing but relatively new field, most of what we now take for granted was either unknown or newly discovered. For example, in an early pediatric text, the subject of "Sepsis in the New Born" consists of only 2½ pages, ending with this sad note about treatment: "For the disease when once developed little can be done,..."2

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References

1. Griffith JPC. The rise, progress and presentneeds of pediatrics. In: Transactions of the Section on Diseases of Children of the AMA. Chicago, IL, AMA Press, 1898.
 
2. Griffith JPC. In: The Diseases of Infants and Children. Philadelphia, PA, Saunders, 1919.
 
3. Szilagyi PG. Health insurance. In: About Children. Elk Grove Village, IL, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005.